WRITING

The Red River Rebels men’s volleyball team took two victories in straight sets against the Université of Saint-Boniface Voyageurs.

Offence was the name of the game for the Rebels team on Nov. 17. They had 42 kills and were en route to winning their second game in a row against the Voyageurs in straight sets (25-17, 25-20, 25-22).

The left side attackers for the Rebels, Dylan Power, Josh Mrozek, and Jeff Seekings, had a great game with zero errors and a combined total of 13 kills. Head coach of the Rebels, Dan Gilbert said he’s happy with the attackers’ performances and progress.

“I’m extremely pleased with how our left-side attack has improved over the past two months, limiting errors and at the same time increasing aggressiveness.”

According to Gilbert, 80 per cent of the Rebels’ points were earned from blocks and aces as well as kills. This was a step up over the 70 percent from the first game against Saint Boniface. With only 14 errors made by the Voyageurs in game two, the pressure was on the Rebels’ offence to execute.

“We wanted to hold ourselves to this high standard again on Saturday and were successful in achieving this goal,” said Gilbert.

He highlighted the performance of his rookie setter, Bobby Nuefeld, as one of the main reasons the Rebels had 42 kills and eight different players scoring at least four or more kills each.

Zach Duncan, a second-year left side attacker, also stepped it up from the service line, contributing eight aces for the team.

“Our greatest focus in training over the past two weeks was on improving our offensive aggressiveness. We are now seeing the rewards for dedicating so much of our training time to this part of the game,” Gilbert said.

Nuefeld said it was great to get back on track by winning the two games, improving their record to 4-1, but he knows there is still work to be done.

“As a team we had great offensive production both nights. On the other hand, the games showed us where we have to improve on defence.”

Gilbert agreed.

“We need to ensure our block and defence are working for us and not against us. Even though we had nine blocks and 17 digs, we still missed far too many opportunities to get a positive touch either at the net or from the backcourt.”

The Rebels will have a break in December and will continue the last half of the season on Jan. 11 at home against the University of Winnipeg College Wesmen.

Travel Assignment - Red River College

When you step into the 31,000 square foot Steinbach Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Thrift Store for the first time, it looks small. The store’s walls are covered in stacked clothing racks that carry men’s, women’s, and children’s fashions, with most items ranging between 25 cents and five dollars.

Taking a glance around the store, your eyes see through the triple-wide doorway and spot sections filled with second-hand furnishings, appliances and many different items from cookware to zebra patterned blankets.

The profit the MCC Thrift Store raises helps support a number of causes, from Steinbach’s own soup kitchens to the people in war-torn Syria, as well as other initiatives. Details on these initiatives can be found on their website: mcccanada.ca.

Kenton Dyck, 19, whose father is a mission pastor, participated in the MCC’s charity work when he was in Belize on a mission for four years. Now that he has returned to Steinbach, he shops regularly at the thrift store.

“The mission behind it makes shopping there that much better. It adds more value. I’m almost free to spend more because I know it’s going to worthwhile cause.”

Paul Frey, one of the store’s co-managers, is the person to talk to if you’re thinking about volunteering for the store or looking for an item like a door handle.

“They’re right inside the main doors to the left. Should be some shelves there, that’s where we are putting them now,” Frey said.

As he spoke, Frey was directing a customer from the back which is filled with donations and other items yet to be put out on display.

“We do a lot of pricing back here, receiving goods, getting them into the store, dealing with customers, finding places to put things.”

Frey was then interrupted by a woman looking for her three-year-old daughter’s lost mitten. Unfortunately he hadn’t seen it but the woman returns to the store to buy a new pink pair for two dollars.

“And we’re a lost and found! Whatever comes up.”

Since he retired from running his own general store in Deer Lake, Ontario, Paul moved to Steinbach and has volunteered at the MCC Thrift Store for over six years, becoming the co-manager in November.

“I hadn’t done that for a number of years so it was kind of like coming back to what I was acquainted with.”

Frey said that keeping track of the hours of the volunteers on top of all his other responsibilities is a rewarding experience.

“I like the idea of not just being out to make a profit for no reason, we’re making a profit for mission work around the world. It’s a little added bonus for me.”

“Without our volunteers we would be a very different organization.”

The MCC Thrift Store is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on the store you can visit their website: thrift.mcc.org/shops/steinbach-mcc-thrift-store.